Cabinet invests 100 million euros in peat meadows

In the context of the Climate Agreement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has decided to invest €100 million in tackling the problem in peat meadow areas. The implementation will be a collaboration between the central government, the provinces, agricultural and horticultural organisations, nature organisations, water boards and municipalities.

The water boards made last week already known to start major research into inhibiting subsidence in peat meadow areas. Simply raising the water level in the areas is not a solution. A higher water level means that farmers in these regions have to turn their business around. This is because cows and machines sink on soils that are too wet and the grass yield is less. In short: new solutions are needed. That is why the cabinet has now decided to invest €100 million in tackling the peat meadow areas.

The amount will be spread over 2020 and 2021 and the various provinces that have peat meadow areas. For 2020 coming the maximum contribution out at €57,5 million and the remaining €42,5 million can be spent over 2021. The highest contribution is for the provinces of South Holland and Friesland, each of €22 million. Noord-Holland and Utrecht will each receive €18 million, Overijssel has a maximum contribution of €15 million and Groningen sees an amount of €5 million. In addition, the provinces are jointly investing an amount of €105 million in tackling the problem in peat meadow areas.

Part of Climate Agreement
The investment is part of the Climate Agreement. This states that the agriculture and land use sectors must commit themselves to a minimum CO2 reduction of 3,5 megatons by 2030. A reduction of 1 megaton must be achieved with an area-oriented approach to the peat meadow areas. This approach must be compiled by means of research: the different areas require their own solution direction. This includes the development of new techniques for water infiltration, nature-inclusive circular agriculture with extensification and the development of wet crops.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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